# Incident of the Letter explained — The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

> Chapter companion for The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## What happens

Mr. Utterson visits Dr. Jekyll after the murder of Sir Danvers Carew. Jekyll swears he is done with Hyde and gives Utterson a letter from Hyde to examine. Utterson later shows the letter to his clerk, Mr. Guest, who notices the handwriting closely resembles Jekyll's own, leading Utterson to suspect Jekyll forged the letter for a murderer.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Jekyll's claim to be done with Hyde contrasts with the forged letter, and the similarity in handwriting suggests a deeper connection between the two.

### Repression and Secrecy

Utterson locks the letter in his safe and keeps the handwriting discovery secret, while Jekyll hides the truth about the letter's origin.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Utterson's loyalty to Jekyll drives him to investigate privately rather than go to the police, and Jekyll expresses trust in Utterson's judgment.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Utterson

Visits Jekyll, receives Hyde's letter, and later consults his clerk Guest about the handwriting.

### Dr. Henry Jekyll

Appears deathly sick, swears he is done with Hyde, and gives Utterson a letter from Hyde.

### Mr. Edward Hyde

The letter's author; his handwriting is compared to Jekyll's and found nearly identical.

### Mr. Guest

Utterson's clerk and handwriting expert; he compares Hyde's letter with Jekyll's note and notes the similarity.

### Poole

Admits Utterson to Jekyll's house and confirms no letter was delivered by post.

## Key lines

> What! Henry Jekyll forge for a murderer! And his blood ran cold in his veins.

Utterson is horrified at the possibility that Jekyll might have forged a letter to protect a murderer.

_Reveals Utterson's growing suspicion and the moral shock of Jekyll's potential complicity._

> I have had what is far more to the purpose, returned the doctor solemnly: I have had a lesson—O God, Utterson, what a lesson I have had!

Jekyll claims the ordeal has taught him a profound lesson, though he does not explain what.

_Highlights Jekyll's guilt and the hidden consequences of his experiments._

## Links

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